The Washington Capitals snapped out of a three gaming losing streak with a big 4-1 win over the Florida Panthers tonight in Florida.   D Mike Green and D Jeff Schultz left the game in the second period and did not return.  Extent of their injuries are unknown at this point.

Bruce Boudreau awarded Line 4 of rookie Mathieu Perreault, Tyler Sloan and Chris Clark for a good performance on Wednesday by keeping them in tact tonight.  The line responded with a nice multiple puck pass play that ended with a Tyler Sloan goal to give the Caps a 1-0 lead in the first period.  It was Sloan’s second goal in as many nights.  Sloan’s goal 2 night ago was his first since 2008 and he re-fired up tonight. The first period ended with a 1-0 Caps lead.  Caps and Panthers tied in shots on goal at 12-12.

Brendan Morrison scored half way through the second period to put the Capitals up 2-0.  It was Morrison’s 5th goal of the year.   Brooks Laich and Brian Pothier assisted the goal.  Caps out shot Panther 10-8 in the second period.

Through the first two period, the Caps did not have any penalties, while Panthers had 1.  Florida added a penalty in the third period that led to a booming shot from Brian Pothier on a Nicklas Backstrom pass that went right through Florida goalie Tomas Vokoun to put the Caps up 3-1.

Things suddenly turned slightly interesting yet again, as the Capitals committed three penalties near the half way mark of the final period, including a 5 minute major on D Shaone Morrisonn that led to his ejection from the game.  The Caps played pretty much the last 9 minutes rotating just 4 defensemen.   Nathan Horton scored on a power play goal on a Brendan Morrison penalty to pull the Panthers to within 2, at 3-1.  Two minutes later, Morrisonn made an illegal hit along the board that led to a 5 minute major and his immediate ejection.  The Caps penalty killers did an absolutely phenomenal job, not allowing a single shot on goal during the entire 5 minute penalty. Brendan Morrisonn scored his 2nd goal of the night to ice the game for the Caps in the Panthers empty net with 50 ticks left.  Caps win 4-1.

Jose Theodore had a very nice game tonight, stopping 28 of 29 shots to improve his record to 4-2.  Theo made some critical saves to save the Caps defense tonight.  He was on his game.

Notes:

*  Jeff Schultz injury is considered lower body.  Mike Green’s injury is an upper body injury.  Status for tomorrow is unknown.

*  Shaone Morrisonn had 2 boarding majors last season, earning a letter from the NHL for 15 to 20 game probation.  Meaning — Morrisonn will likely be suspended.

*  Tyler Sloan and Brian Pothier were both a +3 tonight.

*  Chris Clark picked up an assist tonight, giving him 3 assists over the last 4 games.

*  Tomas Fleischmann had an assist and has now scored 3 goals and 2 assists in the 5 games since his return from injury.

*  Brian Pothier’s third period power play goal was his first goal in 18 games.  His assist on the Tyler Sloan goal was his first point since October 8th.

*  Tyler Sloan’s goal marked the first time in his NHL career he has scored goals in back to back games.

Special Teams:

Caps only had 2 power play opportunities tonight and converted one 1 of them, a Brian Pothier goal from the point.  Caps penalty kill was 1 for 2 but did an outstanding job killing a 5 minute major deep in the third period, not allowing a single shot on goal.

Multi-Point Scorers:

Brendan Morrison, 2 goals

Brian Pothier, 1 goal, 2 assists

DCPSR Player of the Game:  BRIAN POTHER

Caps Record:  9-3-4